Metro Mix Chorus wishes you harmony for the holidays
Question: What can be contagious, addictive and a cure at the same time?
Answer: Experiencing harmony, such as musical harmony.
Metro Mix Chorus is spreading the viral joy of singing, especially in our four-part a cappella harmony. Yes, ever since we began singing on Zoom and then cautiously on to masked live rehearsals, we have become obsessed with singing for others.
Recently, we did our first live performance in about two years, when we presented our “coffee house” concert to a live audience of 100. That show included the chorus, along with three quartets, and a Young Women in Harmony chorus of more than 50 young ladies. (Not all in the room at the same time.)
It was so much fun, with smiling eyes and applause filling the venue. I even heard humming from a couple of audience members as they left. The melodies were spreading.
The audience, the girls, and the chorus all left wanting more. (Addictive?) Fortunately, it is the holiday season, with many Christmas songs and more harmony being sung all around us, in the chorus and individually.
More choirs, soloists and small groups are singing. If you are hooked, and want more live harmony, you are in luck. Get your fix!
To that end, and to do a bit of fundraising, Metro Mix is holding a “Holly Jolly Craft and Vendor Market” on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is at 415 12th Ave. SE, Cedar Rapids, in the Geonetric Building across from the New Bo Market. There will be gift ideas, baked goods, and, most importantly, holiday caroling. This is a fundraiser for the chorus and a way to spread the holiday spirit.
In mid-December we will also sing in a Christmas concert at a church in Van Horne, and who knows what is next? After all, singing is contagious.
I need to mention, however, that singing in harmony can also be the cure. This is personal. So I must confess that I have a major problem with “ear worms." Yes, those nasty little snippets of a catchy tune or song that you hear over and over in your head.
It can start out as innocently as listening or singing a song and remembering it, even fondly. But then you realize, as I did a while back, that when you least expect it, “I want a Hippopotamus for Christmas…” flows into your inner ear and out of your mouth at times when you really need to concentrate, such as while writing a column for the paper!
A treatment that works for quite a while can be singing other songs, especially those that require listening, practice and singing in harmony. Metro Mix, you can be the cure. Chorus rehearsals can be my 12-step program.
However, the most important healing word in all of this is “harmony.” We bring ourselves into harmony with intention, joy and we share it with others. From Metro Mix to all of you, have a harmonious and healthy holiday season and happy new year.
Lynda Black-Smith is a retired art teacher and artist from Cedar Rapids who loves singing lead in the chorus.
This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Metro Mix Chorus wishes you harmony for the holidays
